3 Missing in West Virginia Mine Found Alive

They were discovered in the inactive coal mine on the fourth day of a search

Published December 12, 2018•Updated on December 13, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Three people missing in an inactive coal mine in Clear Creek, West Virginia, were found alive Wednesday after being reported missing four days ago, authorities said.

The three had been trapped in the Rock House Powellton mine, which has been inactive for about two years, according to a source familiar with the mine. A sheriff’s spokesman said it's illegal to enter an abandoned mine, and the mother of one of the three missing said she believes they were in the mine to steal copper.

Samantha Smith, a spokeswoman for the West Virginia Department of Commerce, said in a statement that the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training confirmed they were found alive and would receive medical treatment.